mikemcguff.com: Former Austin anchor Michelle Valles joins KNBC NBC 4

Former Austin anchor Michelle Valles is heading west. The former KXAN and KEYE anchor will be joining former KHOU 11 anchor Lucy Noland and former KPRC 2 meteorologist Byron Miranda at NBC 4 KNBC in Los Angeles:

NBC4 Southern California announced today that award-winning broadcast journalist, Michelle Valles, will join the station as weekend anchor and general assignment reporter, starting April 9. Valles will co-anchor the weekend editions of “Today in LA,” alongside Ted Chen, on Saturdays and Sundays, from 7 a.m.-8 a.m.

With more than 13 years of broadcast journalist experience, Valles served as an evening and morning news anchor and reporter at NBC affiliates in Austin and El Paso for an accumulated 10 years. She also launched and co-created Austin's first-ever award winning lifestyle show as the co-host and writer of Austin Live on CBS affiliate (KEYE).

“We are delighted to welcome Michelle to the NBC4 team,” said Steve Carlston, President and General Manager of NBC4 Southern California. “Her experience as a broadcast journalist, along with her energy, wit and creativity, will greatly contribute to our newscast.”

“I can’t begin to tell you how honored I am to be working with such a talented group of news professionals,” said Valles. “NBC4 is known for its history of integrity and I’m thrilled to become a part of it.”

Valles has been recognized for her coverage of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the breaking news death and legacy of Lady Bird Johnson, and exclusive reports with Willie Nelson tackling marijuana usage and decriminalization in America. Her international reporting includes exclusive access to a Mexican federal prison, the notorious Juarez murder cases, Mexican orphanage conditions, and breaking news reports on US/Mexico border protests, numerous drug busts, Ft. Bliss war deployments and 9/11.

In 2011, Valles wrote a popular magazine column for Austin Man, in which she gave a “woman’s perspective” on men related topics. Her national broadcast debut was in May 2011 on HBO Latino for the award winning series, "Habla Texas," and she launched her acting career this past summer, appearing in musicals, "A Ride with Bob," featuring Ray Benson, and “Asleep at the Wheel.” She was also cast in the popular ABC family teenage drama, "The Lying Game," and the upcoming Christmas feature film "When Angels Sing," starring Harry Connick Jr., Connie Britton, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson.

Dedicated to community service, Valles co-hosted the MDA Jerry Lewis Telethon (1999-2008), and supported SIMS, Center for Child Protection, Emancipet, Las Comadres, Latinitas and many others. She is a former board member of the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, New Milestones Foundation, Reel Women, and Mexi-Carte Museum, and is also a proud member of National Association of Hispanic Journalists. Valles received her B.A. in Journalism from University of Texas at Austin.